Mid-engined Seddon psv at Kelvin Hall
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• Seddon is developing a mid-engine passenger chassis which is expected to make its public debut in the demonstration park at the Scottish Show in November. The design has been commissioned by the Scottish Bus Group. It is expected to be fitted with standard I Im Alexander Y-type bodywork.
The Seddon chassis seems destined to be a direct competitor to Leyland's Leopard design. The Seddon will have a Gardner 6LXB engine mid-mounted in a straight frame chassis. Drive will be via a four-speed ZF gearbox and a Lipe Railway clutch. Leaf springing will be used.
This development, writes Martin Hayes, seems to be a part of SBG's deliberate policy of finding other sources of supply to the Leyland group. It has also provided advice — but not financial support — for the Ailsa Bus front-engined double deck project. Though this is now at a fairly advanced stage, with a sophisticated mock-up being displayed to potential customers, a final go-ahead has not yet been given by the Volvo chiefs in Sweden.
I understand, too, that SBG has not in fact placed an order for any vehicles. It is waiting for a low-bridge version — essential for many of its services — to be completed. There is also some disappointment among the Scots that production vehicles will be available only with semior fully-automatic transmission. As well as holding an implicit faith in front engines the SBG also believes strongly in manual transmissions even for urban operation. Apparently, there have been no complaints from drivers involved in the switch for Bristol VRTs with semiautomatics to Bristol Lodekkas with manual boxes.
Assuming that approval is forthcoming from Volvo, the Ailsa double-decker will make its debut at Kelvin Hall. However, the question of which bodybuilder will do the job has not yet been resolved. Several companies have been involved with work for the mock-up.